Schefter on Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel: ‘Nothing got close to getting done’

We will see the duo for at least another season

We spent the month of April discussing the possibilities of San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel getting traded before or during the draft. Then, the first round came and went.

Multiple teams had a need for a receiver to begin the second round. The belief was that Aiyuk was worth a Day 1 pick, so the likelihood of Samuel getting moved on Friday was higher.

The draft is over, and neither Aiyuk, Samuel nor Jauan Jennings were traded. ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke about the 49ers plans moving forward at wideout:

“I think what happened is, at various points during the offseason, they had inquires about Brandon Aiyuk and decided they wanted to try and sign him to a long-term contract that they’re still trying to get done.

They got a couple of inquires on Deebo, but nothing got close to being done. And they said over the weekend, and I believe this is the plan right now is to move forward with both those guys.

Now, here’s the deal. Aiyuk has not signed that contract. He’s heading into the last year of that deal. Jauan Jennings is headed into the last year of his deal, and Deebo Samuel is heading into the last year of guaranteed money in his deal, then he has two years left.

So clearly, there are wide receiver questions in San Francisco that they’re going to have to address. They got out in front of it this weekend by drafting two wide receivers, including Ricky Pearsall in Round 1.

Ricky Pearsall, the funny thing is he wanted to go to San Francisco. That was the place he mentioned before the draft to a few people, that he wanted to go to. He winds up there, in a perfect spot. And now, the Niners don’t plan on moving on from those guys.

Now, could that change at some point? Sure. Absolutely. And by the way, if there’s a team all of a sudden that has a wide receiver injury and makes a big play, could you pry loose one of these guys? It’s not what they would like to do. It’s not what they’re planning to do. It’s not what they want to do. But clearly we know, there are some wide receiver questions out in San Francisco.”

There’s no guarantee that Aiyuk will sign his contract. To my knowledge, the 49ers wouldn’t receive a comp pick for Samuel if they part ways with him since he has voided years on his contract. If Jennings plays on a one-year deal, the 49ers are probably staring at a fourth-round comp pick in return if he walks next year in free agency.

Let’s say Aiyuk signs an extension. That still leaves two gaping holes at receiver next offseason. The 49ers filled one, if not two of those needs this draft.